Brits tend to know nothing of Maurienne’s [...] No related posts. Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.]]> Nestled in the Maurienne Valley is the last rustic spot for skiers in France. Although the region is dotted with 22 resorts, the prices for eating out and accommodation is lower than half the price of the more prestigious, polished locations, such as Val d’Isère, Méribel, and La Plagne.

Brits tend to know nothing of Maurienne’s villages, such as Orelle, Bonneval, and  St Francois-Longchamps. This is in spite of their proximity to the better known ski destinations.

The one-two punch of stricter budgeting for holiday and exorbitantly high prices at the better known ski destinations are pushing us to look elsewhere for something less trodden.

Can you imagine paying 20 Euros for a vodka and tonic or how is15 Euros for a cup of coffee, those are Val d’Isère prices. The worst of all is the bill for 38 euros for a pasta lunch.

Where does this all stop? It ends with a visit to Maurienne Valley.

At the fork in the road, after Chambéry, most of the 500,000 UK skiers veer left. Their destinations lie towards Bourg-St-Maurice or  Moûtiers, which are only two of the French towns within the most popular ski locations.

If you for right instead, you will head in the direction of Italy, where Turin lies further. A43, a parallel road, leads to  Modane, St-Jean-de-Maurienne, and St-Michel.

The prices at the resorts around these villages are sane. Trains from Paris, on the TGV, take a mere four hours, with a station in Modane. From Chambéry and Geneva airports, the trip is shorter.

Four of the many resorts cooperate with a unified lift pass at £145 that covers six days, and they share 300 km of trails among them. These are Aussois, La Norma, Valfréjus, and Val Cenis.

La Norma hosts wood buildings, rather than the concrete monsters of the bigger resorts, and 65km of skiing that is fresh terrain. Both beginners and advanced skiers will find a place to be thrilled.

Aussols packs a lot of romance, with its location near the Vanoise National Park. Aside from beginners’ runs, there is a 1,250m vertical for the advanced skier. This is one of the least expensive and most charming resorts in Europe.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Situated in the exclusive Legettaz area of Val d’Isere this small collection of five privately owned chalets has been offering exemplary levels of [...] No related posts. Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.]]> As rumours of gloom and doom abound regarding the luxury end of the ski industry a more positive story has emerged from the small luxury grouping of Le Chardon Mountain Lodges.

Situated in the exclusive Legettaz area of Val d’Isere this small collection of five privately owned chalets has been offering exemplary levels of service to a discerning clientele for over seventeen years.  The lodges are owned by an Edinburgh family with a passionate love of skiing, the Alps and traditional Savoyard architecture and who have, through the construction of the five luxury lodges, successfully combined these elements to offer unforgettable holidays with a strong emphasis on the personal touch.

The Chardon experience has always focussed on luxury, with enhanced staffing levels, talented chefs, a team of round the clock dedicated drivers, gourmet meals, the serving of fine wines and champagnes as standard and a concierge service that operates from out of the UK prior to guest arrival and in resort upon arrival. When combined with all the elements that one has come to expect from a luxury experience, finest linen on the beds, thick, fluffy towels and robes, an abundance of gorgeous toiletries, plenty space in which to retreat to, soothing massages and bubbling outdoor spas it is hardly surprising that so many guests decide to return to the Mountain Lodges again and again.

Luxury offerings aside, it is also possible that the security derived from selecting a holiday with a company that owns and operates its own properties and that has both ABTA affiliation and TOPP Insurance is now a consideration with a discerning clientele, some of whom have been left feeling a little exposed in the current climate.

In a further response to meet client demand and in recognition of changing markets it is now possible at certain times of the year for guests to experience the tranquil luxury of the largest of the five chalets, Le Chardon without having to go to the trouble of gathering a group together. It is not simply lucky coincidence that Le Chardon with it’s ten beautifully appointed bedrooms, expansive terraces and enormous sitting rooms lends itself easily to use as an Hotel de Charme or boutique hotel. Group director Rory McNeill says ‘Le CGuests who book individually will still experience the same unwavering attention to detail and the lavish care and attention that we put into each and every booking; ensuring that nothing is left to chance and that a stay at Le Chardon equates to the ski-ing holiday of a lifetime.”

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.